In a Tehran neighbourhood dotted with shops selling football jerseys and sporting goods, 10-year-old Helma was already feeling World Cup fever.
“I’m supporting Iran because it’s always the champion!” she said, sporting a bracelet in the green, white and red of the national flag. “This year, it will be number one out of all the countries!”
Holding a shopping bag containing a national team jersey, her mother explained that Helma was set to appear in a video clip supporting Iran’s side, adding: “We came to buy Team Melli outfits for the shoot.”
But after weeks of war with Israel and the United States — one of the co-hosts of this year’s tournament — not to mention persistent economic hardship and stuttering efforts to bring the conflict to a final close, not every Iranian shares the grade-schooler’s excitement.At a shop in the same district, 17-year-old employee Houman said Portugal jerseys were the bestsellers, with Spain and Brazil also popular.
“This World Cup is different for Iranians,” he said. “I don’t see the same enthusiasm as past editions.”
Team Melli’s aspirations on the field have been overshadowed by what has been an especially trying year for Iranians. It began with anti-government protests — described as foreign-backed riots by the government — that rights groups say were met with a deadly crackdown.
Then came the US-Israeli strikes that launched the war, which only worsened an economic crunch defined by hyperinflation and a currency freefall.
The national team has also faced challenges of its own, with its US visas held up until the night before their departure.
Iran’s squad has had to change its base for the tournament to Mexico, and even with the visas, they must enter and leave US soil on the same day as any match, Tehran’s ambassador to Mexico said on Saturday.
